The Wheeling Herald from Wheeling, Illinois • Page 13

IF YOU CONCENTRATE hard enough, you can almost see their striped shirts, straw hats and shaving mugs! The Schizo Phonics, from left, Fred Sell- ers, Don Reid, Craig Huotari and John Gatto, are Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of one of the barbership quartets within the Arling- Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, tones chorus. The Arlingtones are a chapter of the Listen to the Arlingtones singing fun music by MONICA WILCM Bonnie and Clyde met Darling Nellie the other night in Arlington Heights. And despite the advanced age of she was popular back around the turn of the century and and who just made their debut on the musical scene a few years ago, the three got along quite harmoniously. Of course, credit for the success of this unusual meeting belongs to the tones, the northwest ning barbershop quartet chorus. have a misconception of barbershop Sam McGoun the lingtones explained.

think four guys with straw hats and moustaches singing Well, traditional barbershop music is that, indeed, but, as Arlingtones director Doug Miller pointed out, modem barbershop singing is STYLE is not made for modem Miller said, and so, in singing songs like and and Every the group uses a broader four-part harmony ait from the sound of traditional barbershop music. A mixture of the traditional and the is the fare the Arlingtones pre- for entertainment before various groups, but true barbershop singing is what they do in competition, such as the recent Illinois district contest of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. Competing against 15 other chapter choruses, the Arlingtones the championship and the right to compete in the International Barber Shop Contest in Portland, next July. With the same enthusiasm they put into their singing, the 113 members of the Arlingtones have tackled the job of raising the money for the trip. doffed their straw hats for hats and gone into the pizza business be taking orders again and cut a record which is being sold by members.

Even their wives the have gotten into the act, staging a fashi(Hi show to raise a contribution. EIGHTEEN-YEAR member Ed Hoover has the job of committee chairman for the Portland trip, and he is optimistic about the fund-raising at this time. Meanwhile, Miller, who sports a budding moustache, puts the group through its paces every night, and with results that would astonish many a hard-wtH-king choral conductor. To top it off, neither Miller nor most of the members have had any musical training. Miller began singing in a barbershop quartet in high school and then conducted three groups before this one.

is by far the best group ever had to says the Des Plaines resident, whose daytime job is with Libby Owens Ford. But what attracts all these men from teachers to businessmen, from 20 to 80 so irresistibly? barbershop music appeals to declares Miller. fun And with that, he jumps up, strides in front of the seated chorus, and suddenly, music bursts forth. back those good sing the men vigorously. THE warm up, re- instantly to every ture now they hum softly, scales and And the next instant, they break for the risers, like a football team coming out of a huddle.

Now we meet again, but they seem the same Those wedding bells are breaking old gang of The music continues, and the song now is Every Rumbling bas mellow baritones and soaring te- nois are blended together like butter, and one recalls the words of CJlare Johanson, a member for 32 years and estimated to be about 78 or 79 years young: a challenge a voice hobby caff be! got to keep yourself in shape Hie song ends and Miller explains, been a long time since we have sung No apologies necessary! As the rehearsal gathers steam, four singers to practice separately. They are The Schizo Phonics, one of six active barbershop quartets within the ch(ffus. John Gattp, Don Reid, Fred Sellers and Craig Huotari (who is you guessed it a real, live barber!) The Schizos run through a of songs, complete with antics. CAN HEAR us for a country mile they warble. And you probably could, but an enjoyable mile! The Pipers, Hie Yesteryears, the Monday Nighters, The Critics Choice and The Sound Tracks who placed sixth in international competition last year are the other quartets in the Arlingtones.

And in the other room, the rehearsal goes on, serious effort altemated with spasms of clowning. better letm admonishes Miller at the end of a medley they were preparing for a performance. And again, the music just seemed to happen spontaneously your life with some every day with a A "OHHHHHH. sing members of the Arlingtones with gusto as they rehearse for a perform- anca at Arie Crown Theatre. Jo de Winter star never bored when acting LOVE OF SINGING is the common interest of the Ar- lingtones.

Under the direction of Doug Miller, left, the group hat excelled in barbershop quartet singing, winning the Illinois district championship in October. Now in Hs 22nd year, the group looks forward to international competition of barbershop choruses in Portland, next summer. by GENIE CAMPBELL Being cast as Nurse Hatched in Flew Over the has its drawbacks. The character is a rigid, insensible female villain in a highly- charged drama that takes place in a ward of a mental institution. And for that reason, Jo de Winter, who plays Nurse Hatched in Arlington Park current production, often receives boos when she runs back on stage to tnko her final curtain call.

But all right. It represents a job well done. And anyhow Jo de Winter has been it all before. The tall stately actress originated the role of Nurse Hatched in the San Francisco production of Flew Over the now in its third year. PLAYED the part for one said Miss de Winter.

left it to do a I was unbelievably she added when asked about the psychological side effects of portraying a woman perscmality one leams to despise. first It bothered she smiled. wanted to go out and say please love me love me. It was chic I suppose to say I suffered an identity crisis. I was worried that people would feel I was really like Nurse Hatched.

She has absolutely no redeeming features except her own basic desire to do what she thinks is But just five minutes conversation with Miss de Winter testifies that she is as gracious and likable as Nurse Hatched is cruel and wretched. Dressed comfortably in tailored jnnk suede jacket and coordinating pants, her medium-length frosted hair softly framing her face, the actress dispelled any harshness she convey while on stage. REALLY do have a passion for she said over lunch in the Carousel Restaurant of Park Towers. a mistake for me to get too close to or she continued, my taste is super simple. I prefer shirts and trousers and I like lots of And she farther admits that she enjoys making many of her own clothes.

She uses very little makeup both on and off stage, conveying a natural look. But why would Jo de Winter want to slip back into the role of Nurse Hatched? JO de WINTER because she enjoyed every minute of her time on stage in San Francisco. like character she said. want to play chic society ladies or super executive ITIS a very lovely feeling to get a call from Chicago and be asked will you come? I immediately said yes. Anyhow I had been away from the show a year and a half and that was Miss de Winter looked forward to costarring with James Farentino with whom she worked wice before when she guest-starred on a segment of Bold am even more pleased with this she said, comparing Arlington Park rendition with San husband was here and he noticed quite a different approach to this one.

There is a scene-upoo-scene build-up until at the very end bang. It hits you all at once. company is now putting (Continued on page 6).